 By Staff
April 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
How much time should your children spend before a screen?
And how do you get them away from that screen when they have been in front of one for far too long?
 The problem – The Community & Parent Partners for Kids (C.A.P.P. for KIDS) is presenting the event that begns at 7:00 pm and runs to 8:30 p.m. at the New Street Education Centre (3250 New St., Burlington). There will be community displays from 6:45-7 p.m.
Parents are invited to attend the free evening presentation on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 aimed at addressing the appropriate amount of screen time for young people in a society increasingly dominated by technology.
Called ‘Should We Unplug Our Kids? Reflections on the revised Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement on Screen Time for Children’, the presentation will highlight the current trends, research and recommendations related to screen time.
 How much screen time is appropriate – and how does a parent come up with rules that work? Child experts Maria Ramos and Linda Bell will lead the presentation. Both are experienced Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists with advanced skills in facilitating the development of language and emergent literacy in preschool children. Their role includes coaching parents and service providers as well as offering community presentations on a variety of related topics.
C.A.P.P. for KIDS is a partnership between Halton Region, Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), Our Kids Network, Halton Regional Police Service, Ontario Early Years, Burlington Public Library, City of Burlington, and the Halton Multicultural Council.
For more information about this event, email mailto:capp4kids@gmail.com.
 By Staff
April 5, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday April 3rd 2018, two males were in Food Basics stores in the towns of Georgetown, Milton and the city of Burlington.
At each location the two males, acting as a team, used distraction techniques to steal a purse from unsuspecting elderly females. One male engaged the elderly females in conversation asking for assistance. During this distraction, the other male stole the purses. Cash and credit cards were taken from the stolen purses and the purses were discarded.
The two males used the stolen credit cards at multiple stores close to the location of each theft. The cards were used immediately after the theft of each purse.
At 1:35pm on Wednesday April 4th 2018, the same males again attended the Food Basics in Georgetown. Alert employees recognized the suspects and quickly contacted police. The suspects left the scene in a motor vehicle. Witnesses obtained the licence plate information and police connected the vehicle to a Brampton address.
Detectives from the one district criminal investigations bureau were able to stop the motor vehicle and at 4:10pm arrested the occupants as they attempted to return to their residence.
One adult and one young offender, who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are facing three counts of theft under.
Bogdan DYMITER, 20 years of Brampton and a 17 year old young offender were held pending a bail hearing.
The investigation is continuing into these offences and further charges are expected.
What you can do to protect your self: Click here
Halton Police wish to thank the alert Food Basics employees who quickly contacted police and obtained vital information necessary to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.
Police would also like to remind members of the public to be cognizant of the techniques used in these types of thefts and be on guard keeping personal possessions safe, secure and away from view in public places.
Anyone who may have additional information concerning this investigation can contact Detective Derek Moyes of the One District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext: 2114.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222- 477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Staff
April 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Police are still laying far too many charges for Impaired driving.
How man of these charges result in convictions?
What does a conviction mean to insurance rates?
What does the Court do in terms of punishment? Fines? How much?
A summary of the offences:
On March 30, 2018 shortly before 1:30 am, Halton Police officers responded to a collision in the area of Maple Avenue and Brush Road in Milton. As a result of an investigation, Obaid Mujtaba (24), of Milton was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80mgs.
On March 30, 2018 shortly before 8:30 am, Halton Police officers responded to a collision in the area of Main Street South and Park Avenue in Halton Hills. As a result of an investigation, Richard Fox (34), of Stoney Creek was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80mgs.
On March 30, 2018 shortly before 10:30 am, Halton Police officers responded to the area of Robarts Drive and Dills Crescent in Milton, in response to a citizen-initiated traffic complaint. As a result of an investigation, Jeremy Dixon (22), of Milton was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80 mgs.
On March 31, 2018 shortly after 11:30 am, Halton Police officers initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Princeton Crescent and Sunnydale Drive in Burlington. As a result of an investigation, Lance Atchison (50), of Burlington was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80 mgs.
On March 31, 2018 shortly before 8:00 pm, Halton Police officers responded to a collision in the area of Fairview Street and Maple Avenue in Burlington. As a result of an investigation, Ali Mohammed (33), of Burlington was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80mgs.
On March 31, 2018 shortly after 9:00 pm, Halton Police officers responded to the area of Maple Avenue and Norrington Place in Milton, in response to a citizen-initiated traffic complaint. As a result of an investigation, Clark Stewart (45), of Milton was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80 mgs.
On April 1, 2018 shortly before 11:00 am, Halton Police officers responded to a collision in the area of Speers Road and Bronte Road in Oakville. As a result of an investigation, Ryan Whey (22), of Mississauga was charged with driving while ability impaired and driving over 80mgs.
On April 1, 2018 shortly before 9:00 pm, Halton Police officers initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Main Street and James Street in Milton. As a result of an investigation, Rui Pinto Verdugo (45), of Milton was charged with driving over 80 mgs.
On April 1, 2018 shortly after 10:30 pm, Halton Police officers were conducting a mobile R.I.D.E. initiative in the area of Cornwall Road and Chartwell Road in Oakville. A traffic stop was conducted and as a result of an investigation, Jennifer Lawrence (44), of Oakville was charged with driving over 80mgs.
On April 3, 2018 shortly before 10:00 pm, Halton Police officers responded to the area of Derry Road and Sixth Line in Milton, in response to a citizen-initiated traffic complaint. As a result of an investigation, Janusz Uramowski (66), of Mississauga was charged with care or control while impaired and care or control over 80 mgs.
 Survey closes on Friday – April 6th – Takes two minutes to complete. The Halton Regional Police Service remains committed to road safety through prevention, education and enforcement initiatives. Members of the public are reminded that driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is a crime in progress and to call 9-1-1 immediately to report a suspected impaired driver.
The Service’s Twitter and Facebook accounts should not be used for this purpose as they are not monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 By Pepper Parr
April 5, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Work has begun to resurface New Street from Guelph to Walkers after pilot
Following the end of the New Street pilot project, work to resurface New Street from Guelph Line to Walkers Line is now underway and will be finished in mid-May.
 It was an idea that should never have gone forward – public by-in and acceptance was just never there. The cycling community hasn’t convinced the average driver that the roads need to be shared. In 2016, the City of Burlington began a one-year pilot on a section of New Street between Walkers Line and Guelph Line, reducing the number of lanes from four to three with buffered bike lanes.
In December 2017, City Council approved a staff report to convert the existing bike lane pilot project on New Street between Guelph Line and Walkers Line back to the original four-lane configuration.
As part of the staff report about the pilot, City Council approved a recommendation to add cycle tracks on New Street between Guelph Line and Burloak Drive for consideration in the 2019 capital budget, subject to receiving provincial and/or federal government funding. Cycle tracks are physically separated from vehicle lanes, most commonly by the curb.
Quick Facts
• Prior to the resurfacing, work to repair a significant storm sewer failure east of Guelph Line will be completed.
• The total time estimated for the repair work and resurfacing is about eight weeks.
• There is no cost to revert New Street to four lanes. The stretch of New Street between Guelph Line and Walkers Line was scheduled to be resurfaced in 2017 as part of the city’s capital budget.
 The survey will close on April 6th – takes two minutes to complete. Totally anonymous. The no brainer position:
Let this one go. It was a mistake from the get go – because there was not the buy-in from the general public that was needed and council ended up with egg on its face.
By Staff
April 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Judy Anderson’s work are hung and looking good.
 It is a series of work references the graphic elements of traditional board games. She uses the design of the games to explore the relationship of shapes and patterns while keeping her palette to one of primary colours.
Images of old photographs are collaged into the works transporting the viewer to more nostalgic times when games were the entertainment for kids and families with cousins and grandparents.
Survey closes April 6th – takes two minutes to complete Reception April 8, 2018 2-4pm
Exhibition continues until May 27th
Teresa Seaton Studio & Gallery
652 Spring Gardens Road, Burlington ON L7T 1J2
Gallery Open Thurs – Sun 11am – 5pm
 By Staff
April 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The announcement of an 18 storey structure at the intersection of James and Martha is one more addition to the very significant changes that are taking place in the city.
At a recent community meeting – a number of questions were asked – the answers were insightful – even if they are not what people want to hear.
 Burlington’s former Director of Planning Bruce Krushelnicki Burlington’s former Director of Planning Bruce Krushelnicki was on Cogeco’s TV with moderator Mark Carr who asked Krushelnicki just how and why all this intensification is taking place. Krushelnicki, who was always very good at explaining just what planning issues are all about, gave interesting answers. His comments are short – 4 minutes; well worth listening to.
Watch the video CLICK HERE
The following comes to you via information originally published by ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward
1. How is the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), different from the new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT)?
A key difference is that the OMB bases decisions on what is good planning whereas the LPAT is more restrictive—they will ask if the development is conforming to provincial and regional plans.
 Proposal is for an 18 storey building with 153 units. 2. What is happening to the creek?
Realignment of the channel is proposed. Some vegetation will be cut out to create better flow condition. A flood analysis has been done, and flood elevation will be reduced.
3. Will pumping be required for the underground parking?
There will be pumping required.
4. Are you putting cement in creek?
A retaining wall will be right at the creek.
5. What is the design factor for the flood plain?
The City’s Capital Works department will be looking at both regional and 100-year policies. Site engineering staff will be looking at technical studies to ensure there are no adverse impacts to the creek.
 An unhappy transit customer talking to the Mayor and Director of Transportation at a Bfast Forum. 6. Many residents expressed concern that traffic will be worse in the local neighbourhood.
City staff stated that they will ensure that traffic is within acceptable levels by conducting traffic forecasts and redistributing traffic. Staff will look at existing traffic patterns.
The forthcoming Transportation Plan has an emphasis on moving people, not cars… Staff are not expecting that every trip is going to be made by car and believe that people travel at different times during the day.
7. What magnitude of change are we going to see in traffic volumes? Will neighbouring developments be considered in forecast?
Anticipating 40 trips in a peak hour. Staff will be layering every development within proximity.
8. Why are we amending official plan, without transportation plan?
9. Multiple residents are concerned that this development is the beginning of many more like it, and we do not have the infrastructure and roads to support the volume.
Staff will not be widening roads, instead they are looking into transit, and moving people in a sustainable way. Staff are in early stages of reviewing transportation and traffic.
10. Who is going to pay for the sewage and transportation upgrades that will be required due to the increased usage that the development will bring?
Halton Region will determine if there is capacity for our sewage system. The developer pays upfront, and in long-term residents pay through taxes.
11. Would Mattamy have been interested in the site if they could have only gone to 11-storeys?
No, due to the cost to develop site.
12. By the time we get to the site plan phase, the applicant will have already been granted high density.
13. What allowances have you made for visitor parking?
31 parking spaces will be provided on first level.
14. We all chose to live here because it’s not downtown Toronto (congestion). How will you ensure pedestrian safety?
Applicant hasn’t gotten to that stage yet.
15. What is the estimated build time? What street will you be using for staging?
2 years for construction…. doesn’t have answers for staging area yet.
16. Is there going to be a drop off area at the entrance of the building? Resident recommends roundabout at corner of Martha and James.
There will potentially be 2 or 3 spaces at the front of the building for drop-offs.
17. Can City ask applicant to also put together an 11-storey application to compare to the current application in real time?
Would be expensive for developer.
18. Can the developer explain how the development fits with the character of the neighbourhood of 1 to 3-storey buildings?
Downtown is a mobility hub and what you see today is not what you’re going to see in the future. The character is shifting and downtown is going to change.
19. What is price point of units? Will there be affordable housing?
Mattamy doesn’t have answers at this point…application is in early stages.
There were a lot of ‘pig in a poke’ answers given at that meeting. Exactly what does: “Staff are looking into transit, and moving people in a sustainable way.”, mean? You may not want to know.
Survey will close April 6th. Takes two minutes to complete. When you hear what Krushelnicki had to say on Cogeco TY (link to that conversation is above) you will begin to understand why Burlington is going through the changes ahead of the city.
 By Ray Rivers
April 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
”So, just think: a family of five will be paying $1,000 more in new taxes,” he told the news conference. “We know that they’ve increased the taxes $200,”…”Times five is $1,000”. (Doug Ford at his post budget news conference)
Yeah – maybe if Ford’s hypothetical five family members, including the children, each earned at least $130,000. Then the household income would be at least $650,000. Not your traditional 5 person family. He was clearly grasping to make a point on which he obviously hadn’t given (enough/any) thought.
 Doug Ford – Progressive Conservative candidate for Premier of Ontario We all mistakes and we could give Mr. Ford a mulligan, being the newbie running for that top provincial job. But it is worrisome for a potential premier to stumble on something so simple. We expect the CEO of Ontario Inc. to be good at thinking on his/her feet. And just as importantly to be able to sort through the weeds and grasp complex solutions to complex matters. But we haven’t seen that option yet on our latest model Ford.
So it’s not surprising that he has little patience for the sophistication and intricacies of Ontario’s cap and trade climate change program, now in its second year of operation. Of course supporting any climate change initiative requires a belief in global warming and a determination to do something about it. Ford has mused positively on the former but has shown little interest in the latter.
 For a man not big of documents and reports – this would have been a challenge. In December 2016, the Government of Canada and provinces making up over 80% of the Canadian population signed onto the ‘Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change’. Under the plan, each province has to implement carbon taxes of $10 per tonne in 2018, rising by $10 each year thereafter until 2022. If a province doesn’t implement a carbon tax the federal government will do it for them, collect the revenue and return it to the province in some, as yet undefined, form.
Saskatchewan is the only province which has refused to join so far. A province can opt for an explicit carbon tax/levy as B.C. and Alberta have done, or a cap and trade program as Ontario and Quebec have undertaken. The argument for cap and trade is that it ensures the targets are met, it is more efficient and less costly for the final consumers and it is much more business friendly. But it is more complex to administer and needs a large enough allowance market to function effectively.
Large greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters have to buy annual GHG allowances – a license to release a tonne of CO2. The number of allowances provincially available depends on the national targets, established by the Harper government, back when they were in power, and adopted by the Liberals since. The number of allowances declines over the years consistent with the GHG emissions targets.
The revenue from the sale of allowances goes into a green fund which homeowners and businesses can then use to partially pay for beefing up their attic insulation, installing more efficient windows, and so on. Of course that revenue from allowance sales could be re-directed anywhere. B.C. channels revenue from its carbon tax back in reduced income tax points and Alberta does a little of both – income tax cuts and funds for more greening.
When the PC’s were led by Patrick Brown he wanted to scrap cap and trade and implement the federally prescribed and more lavish carbon tax worth about $4 billion in its first year. That was primarily because Brown planned to recycle the cash he would collect into his promised 22% income tax cuts for the middle class.
But Ford wants nothing to do with any darn carbon tax and promises to also scrap cap and trade. Further, he has threatened to sue the federal government if they even think about carbon taxing in Ontario.
 Doug Ford: don’t let anyone tell you he is stupid. Of course Ford may just be playing coy. After all there isn’t a snowball’s chance in a tar pond that the three amigos on the right: Ford, Sask. premier Scott Moe, and federal Conservative leader Scheer would win such a law suit. And that means the federal government will have to implement its own carbon tax in Ontario and likely turn the money over to the province.
So Ford may not be good with numbers or stun us with quick thinking on his feet, but don’t let anyone tell you he is stupid. Quite the contrary, even after his lawsuit flunks the legal smell test, he can still claim to have resisted and fought the feds on the carbon tax. And if he plays his cards right, he’ll also have the $4 billion in cash he needs to make his promised tax cuts while almost balancing the budget.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Survey will close April 6th – takes two minutes to complate. Background links:
Ford’s Fumble – Ford – a Puzzle – Carbon Taxes –
Cap and Trade – Green Fund –
By Staff
April 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
This year, the Burlington’s Best Committee received 30 nominations in eight categories, besting the total number of nominees from last year.
 Nominations were accepted Jan. 2, 2018 through Mar. 7, 2018.
Burlington’s Best Awards is an awards program that honours Burlington’s most outstanding citizens. The winners in all categories will be revealed at a gala celebration on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Tickets to this event are $35 per person. A dessert reception will follow the awards ceremony. Tickets can be purchased at the Service Burlington counter at City Hall, 426 Brant St., or by contacting Wanda Tolone at 905-335-7600, ext. 7458 or wanda.tolone@burlington.ca.
One winner will be selected in each of the eight award categories. This year’s nominees are:
Citizen of the Year
• Osob Adus
• Jason Stajan
Junior Person of the Year
• Kathleen Burgess
• Carter Creechan
• Chloe DeMers
• Aleksandra Srbovska
• Addison Wood
Senior Person of the Year
• Jennifer Earle
• Frank Miele
• Mae Redford
• Paul Tomlinson
Environmental Award
• Gloria Reid
Arts Person of the Year Award
• Teresa Seaton
• Jonathan Smith
Community Service Award
• Carol Baldwin
• Elizabeth Barrowcliffe
• Laura Clark
• Julie Cordasco
• Yanet DeLeon
• Louise Donnelly
• Knights of Columbus
• Kim Moss
• Rory Nisan
• Tracey Oborne King
• Belinda Roberts
• Jill Stickney
 Heritage Award
• Louise Cooke
• Friends of Freeman Station
Accessibility Award
• John Krasevec
• Bill Murray
For more information, visit www.burlington.ca/best.
By Mark McGuire and Karl Wulf
April 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Rick Goldring continues to provide a series of updates relevant to the vision of the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee set out by Co-Chairs Mark McGuire and Karl Wulf in November 2017. This allowed committee members with an opportunity to ask questions to better understand how they can contribute to shaping their city.
Mayor Goldring identified the recent delegation by the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee requesting Holiday Transit service as an example of a ‘win’.
Burlington was one of the few municipalities in Ontario that did not offer transit service on the holidays. The Millennial Advisory Committee delegated through a written policy brief to formally identify the gap in transit service.
Effective transit service is a key area that the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee strives to influence, as greater intensification and limited space will mean more cars on Burlington’s streets and roads.
The Millennial Perspective
Mayor Goldring explained the process of influencing council. For the Burlington Millennial perspective to carry weight, it needs to be given early in the process by engaging with relevant stakeholders before community events and workshops that precede the relevant committee and council meetings.
 A session of the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee meeting with Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon A Vision Greater than Themselves
Mayor Goldring also discussed the importance of civic engagement, especially at early stages of projects within the City of Burlington. This led to a presentation by Co-Chairs Mark and Karl reiterating the three pathways for engagement the Millennial Advisory Committee is taking:
(1) Passive Engagement – Community presence and participation in Workshops;
(2) Reactionary Engagement – Delegating on contemporary topics at City Hall; and
(3) Proactive Engagement – Working with city staff to offer insightful policy critiques.
To increase the effect of the perspective of our generation in Burlington, it is increasingly more important to continue engaging at committee meetings and city workshops, but also to draft thoughtful policy proposals and send them to the proper stakeholders at City Hall.
The strategy is to lead a sustainable and influential committee of millennials in Burlington to build community engagement and provide advice and insights into policy impacting our city. This ties in with the mandate established by Mayor Goldring for the committee, “to lead projects focused on how to keep and attract residents 18-35 in Burlington.”
The Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee aims to be pivotal and to be perceived as the “Go To” committee for the City of Burlington to gain valuable insights into what our generation needs to continue to make Burlington the best place to live and work.
Civic Engagement
After discussing what is critical to millennials in Burlington through a collaborative approach with surveys from the Co-Chairs and workshops facilitated by Stephanie Venimore, Business Performance Advisor for the City of Burlington, the Millennial Advisory Committee has identified three key areas of engagement:
Commercial and Residential Development
Transportation
Burlington Culture
The Millennial Advisory Committee has delegated on mixed-use developments and transportation initiatives within the City of Burlington.
On multiple occasions, the Millennial Advisory Committee has provided key insights for important cultural projects, the Museums of Burlington Joseph Brant Museum project being especially important as it represents the cultural heritage of Burlington’s founder, Joseph Brant of the Mohawk.
Want to get involved?
If you are a millennial trying to get involved, then this is a chance for you to speak out on the things you think would attract more millennials to Burlington.
 Mayor Rick Goldring making a presentation to his Millennial Advisory Committee. To apply to be a member of the committee, please email mayor@burlington.ca with the following information.
Name
Age
Primary email address
City of current residence
Social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
Profession/Student status
A 500-word (max.) response to the following question: What ideas do you have for Mayor Rick Goldring’s Millennial Advisory Committee that would help meet its mandate of helping Burlington foster and retain millennial-age residents.
The Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee was created to develop initiatives and provide input on how to keep and attract residents aged 19 to 36 in Burlington. The Millennial Advisory Committee identifies millennials as people born from 1981 to 1998.
Why get involved?
The City of Burlington has the best reasons to get involved with any Committee or Board:
meet new people
share your talents
develop skills
address a common interest
make a difference in your community
Want more information?
Read the October Update from Term 2 Co-chairs Mark McGuire and Karl Wulf. You can keep up to date on the news from the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee by visiting Burlington.ca/millennials.
For more information about the committee, contact the Office of the Mayor at mayor@burlington.ca
The readership survey will close April 6th Mark McGuire and Karl Wulf, are the Co-Chairs of the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee. This column first appeared in the Mayor’s Blog
Related articles:
Jim Young on citizenship engagement.
 By Jim Young
April 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
At this meeting the Committee of the Whole will receive a staff report on Citizen Engagement.
As a group who work to improve engagement with citizens, Engaged Citizens of Burlington welcome that effort and would like nothing more than to be involved on behalf of citizens in the development of that engagement effort.
 Jim Young: “city does not engage them in ways they would like to be engaged” We are very aware that our city works hard to communicate. It devotes resources, people, time and money on that effort. Yet, our interactions with citizens suggest a widespread feeling that our city does not engage them in ways they would like to be engaged. Like ships that pass in the night we never seem to see each other and when we do, too often it is when we collide.
When that happens Council and Staff always seem disappointed, and bewildered, that this communication/engagement, despite your best intentions, fails and the city/citizen engagement gap is brought to your attention.
But the very fact that ECoB exists suggests that there is a gap between yours and our perception of communication and engagement, and that there is a wide range and significant number of citizens who feel their voices are not heard, that their fears and concerns for their city go unheeded, and this in a city which believes it is communicating so well.
Even by the standards of your own policy on “Public Participation and Engagement”, which strives to meet International Association for Public Participation standards of engagement. Those standards range from Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate and Empower. On most issues you inform very well; consult or involve all too rarely and usually too late in the process to have any meaningful impact, and, at the risk of offending, we never feel that level of collaboration which might make empowerment of citizens an achievable reality.
So how can it be that a city that boasts 8 Citizen Advisory Committees, with more to come, so often gives its citizens the impression that no-one is paying attention to them?
There is a widespread feeling that much of the city’s engagement effort is geared towards ticking the “Engagement Boxes” where needed to speed regulatory processes through Staff to Council rather than real engagement and dialog with citizens. ECoB think this is reflected above in the suggestion that your efforts to inform are much more successful than any serious attempt to consult, involve, collaborate or empower.
 Jim Young: telling city council of a “a well-meaning attempt to improve Citizen Engagement” As an example, here we are four years into the creation of an Engagement Charter process that was started in 2013 and adopted by council in April 2014 and ECoB is lobbying for Citizen Engagement in this process. Do Council and Staff begin to see why ECoB has issues with the engagement process when a well-meaning attempt to improve Citizen Engagement is already four years in the making with little or no Citizen Engagement in that process?
The report suggests that future engagement in the process will come from Citizen Advisory Committees which in ECoB’s opinion may be part of a tired engagement model that has never really worked as well as the city might have hoped.
While well intended and filled by well-meaning citizens, the way Citizen Advisory Committees are constituted and their operating guidelines leave them too readily influenced by Council Members and Committee Staff assigned to them. With a few exceptions they have not been the engagement vehicle we would like them to be.
Among various advocacy groups in the city and even within your own Citizens Advisory Committees there is a widespread feeling that Advisory Committees have become a simple extension of the city departments rather than independent advisors to council. That when a staff recommendation is supported by its appropriate Citizens advisory committee, Council are really just receiving a well manipulated repetition of the staff recommendation echoed by The Citizen Advisory.
If Councillors are not aware of this, just ask yourselves: When was the last time you heard a Citizens Advisory Committee delegate in opposition to a Staff recommendation?
It is no coincidence that most of the Citizens Advisory Committees have parallel, non-city sponsored advocacy groups. ITAC has BfAST, BSAC has BSCInc. And the work of the various Downtown Heritage, Parking and Sustainable Development Committees is paralleled by independent citizen groups from Alton Village to Brant Hills to Tyandaga. From Appleby Village to Roselandto Downtown to Aldershot,
These advocacy groups are often made up of former members of Citizen Advisory Committees who found those citizens advisories ineffective and who now advocate for their various city wide interests where they feel they are more likely to be heard and with greater impact.
ECoB currently works with at least 11 area and ward specific groups and at least another 5 City wide advocacy groups. These 16 groups are Engaged Citizens whose voices will not be heard in the New Engagement Charter.
If Council and staff are happy with the present communication and engagement model, if you really feel you are reaching citizens and that their voices are being heard, then probably nothing can be done. Local and city wide groups will continue to be frustrated and angered and will tie up your time and effort in the kind of oppositional engagement that model creates.
 Jim Young, addressing city council. Manager of Communications Donna Kell sits in the audience. If however, you feel, as we do, that communication and engagement can be improved for the benefit of Council, Staff and Citizens, and the fact that you are receiving reports from staff on Improving engagement suggests you may actually feel that way, Engaged Citizens of Burlington has already reached out to Communication Managers with the City Manager’s Office to explore how we might close that Engagement /Communication Gap which exists more often than either of us might like.
I am here tonight on behalf of Engaged citizens of Burlington to seek Council and Staff support for the inclusion of ECoB in that engagement process. The E in ECoB is for Engagement, it is not for Enraged and certainly not for Enemy.
The readership survey closes April 6th. Thank you council and staff for your time and your work on behalf of our city. Thank you citizens for your support and for allowing us to be you voice, Engaged Citizens of Burlington look forward to continuing, meaningful engagement with all of you.
Jim Young is one of the Engaged Citizens of Burlington.
The Burlington Gazette is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
When the Gazette was covering a meeting of the Halton District School Board we made an error and attributed a statement to one of the trustees from Milton when it was made by one of the trustees from Oakville. The two sit side by side during school board meetings. We corrected the error but not to the complete satisfaction of the trustee. The NNC requires the Gazette to publish their report on how they respond to a complaint. That report is set out below.
April 3 2018
The National NewsMedia Council has upheld a complaint about accuracy and errors correction in the Burlington Gazette.
The March 22 2018 article reported on a Halton District School Board meeting, where part of the discussion was about a new administration building.
The complainant, Kim Graves, stated that two statements in the article were untrue.
The first cited inaccuracy was that “The Oakville and Milton trustees didn’t like the distance they would have to drive to get to Board meetings if they continued to be held in Burlington”. No trustees were named in the article but Graves, a trustee from Milton, objected that she did not make that statement.
Graves said the second untrue statement is that trustees “are queasy” about discussing the new administration centre. She said the statement implied all trustees are queasy, and is untrue because she is not queasy about having the discussion.
In its response, The Burlington Gazette said it did not refuse to make a correction, but that it would review the three-hour video of the meeting web cast.
Subsequently, the news outlet published a correction stating that in an “earlier version of this news story we said that Milton trustee Kim Graves had complained about the distance she had to drive to get to school board meetings” and that it was the trustee beside her who made the comment.
That correction also stated “we said ‘… they were a little queasy about having this matter on the table…’. It would have been more correct to say that some were queasy.”
The complainant objected to the first part of the correction as inaccurate. She noted the original article did not name her as making a statement, but did incorrectly imply she made a statement.
Based on the above, Council upheld the complaint about an inaccurate statement. It also upheld the complaint about the correction, because it incorrectly conveyed the original statement and drew unwarranted attention to the complainant. It is worth noting that the original statement implied six trustees were of the same view, but the correction admitted to misattributing a comment to just one.
The complainant also raised questions about the news media’s approach to making a correction. While it is reasonable for the journalist to double check the audio video recording, and to ask for a quote on that or another issue, it is also the prerogative of the trustee or any other interviewee to decline to comment. A correction should not be contingent on providing a further quote.
The news outlet defended its request for further quotes, and stated it “wanted to see a statement that was clearer” than the complainant’s earlier comments.
As a general comment, Council noted that tension between the media and institutions is normal and part of the accountability dynamic of a healthy democracy. However, journalistic standards of accuracy, opportunity to respond, attribution, citing reliable sources, and willingness to make prompt and meaningful corrections are essential in a reputable media. Similarly, government and institutions have a role in allowing media access to information, and those in public office must expect a higher degree of scrutiny and less privacy than those individuals in private life.
By Staff
April 3, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Overnight on April 2 – 3, 2018, police received seven reports of unlocked vehicles being entered and rummaged through by unknown culprit(s) in the core area of Burlington.
In one instance, culprit(s) located spare keys in a vehicle and subsequently stole it. The vehicle stolen is a 2008 Ford Escape Grey in colour with licence plate BMWW586. It is possible that the vehicle plates have been switched to BFWR535 which were also stolen overnight from a Finch Avenue driveway in the Aldershot area of Burlington. If anyone observes this vehicle, they are asked to call 911 and not approach it.
The streets targeted by culprit(s) were:
• Stephenson Drive
• Clark Avenue
• Hawkins Crescent
• Nathaniel Crescent
These types of crimes continue to occur and are preventable!
Police are pleading with the public to ensure their vehicles are always locked when unattended, that all valuables are removed and to NEVER leave spare keys in a vehicle (even if they are to another vehicle at/near the same location).
Anyone with information that would assist police in identifying the person(s) responsible to these or any other crimes are asked to call the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2316. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
 By Staff
April 3, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Conservation Halton’s Flood Duty Officer advises that a low pressure system is currently moving across the Province and is expected to produce rainfall amounts ranging between 15 mm and 30 mm beginning this afternoon and extending into early tomorrow.
Flooding is not anticipated, however the forecasted precipitation may result in higher than normal water levels and flows in local streams. In addition, strong winds associated with the passing of this system may cause increased water levels and high waves along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay away from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams and be aware of conditions along shoreline areas of Lake Ontario. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks and strong winds and high waves along shoreline areas continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement –Water Safety message as conditions warrant.
This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through Thursday April 5th, 2018.
By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
James Burchill has a style that is unique. Basically he is a communicator and has come up with a format that he calls Smart Car Coffee Confidential. He takes people out for a drive in his little Smart Car and has a conversation – stopping along the way for a cup of takeout coffee.
He has interviewed VIP’s, sports people, people who do the darndiest things for a living.
Burchill, besides being a shameless self-promoter, is a Brit – something he is quietly proud about.
 Two Brits – watch for what they do during a Coffee Confidential on Friday. In a forthcoming Coffee Confidential he is out with Paul Coppcut, who toils away at “personal brand development”. What makes this video such a hoot is that the two of them are nutso about Queen. Not THE Queen but the musical royalty Queen.
The two of them sit in the car shaking their heads like a couple of bobble head dolls yucking it up.
Burchill asks: “What happens when two English guys hang out in a Smart car and listen to Queen?” Then you get to see what two English guys can do when the music gets to them.
A short short clip of just what these two Brits do when the music is turned on is RIGHT HERE. The full Coffee Confidential will run on Friday.
Brighten up your day – supposed to rain later this afternoon and this evening.
By Staff
April 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
And now there are four.
Burlington will have a Liberal, a Progressive Conservative, a New Democrat and a Green Party candidate running for the Burlington seat..
Eleanor McMahon is seeking re-election as a Liberal for a second term. Jane McKenna will be the Progressive Conservative candidate, trying to regain the seat she lost to McMahon in 2015
The New Democrats have said they will have a candidate but have yet to announce who that candidate will be.
Vince Fiorito candidate for the Green party in the last federal election has decided to run in the provincial election June 7th.
Burlingtonians fall into one of three seats in the provincial Legislature. Milton that covers part of rural Burlington; Oakville Burlington North which covers parts of the eastern part of Burlington and parts of north Oakville.
A map of the Burlington riding is set out below.
 Vince Fiorito- Green candidate for Burlington. Fiorito is a 55 years old Burlington resident who grew up in Thunder Bay.
His 20 year career with Transport Canada (later NavCanada) had him posted in Nunavit for a number of years. He later taught and wrote policy on Navigational Aids, Telecommunications and Computer Systems related to Canada’s Air Navigation System. Fiorito was the youngest Director of Transport Canada’s National Technical Training Program.
In 2000, Vince became a Senior IT Consultant for Hewlett Packard in Mississauga. In 2007, Vince started a successful small business, Fiorito Learning Solutions Inc., and worked internationally as an early Cloud Computing pioneer.
 Fiorito was named as a Watershed Steward by the Halton Conservation Authority He retired in 2015 and has devoted himself to community volunteerism, environmental and political activism.
Fiorito founded the Friends of Sheldon Creek stewardship group. He is an amateur photographer, botanist, ecologist, arborist and restorer of natural habitat.
When elected, Vince will represent his constituents first and the Green Party second.
The Gazette readership survey will close April 6th.
By Staff
April 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
They are Burlington musicians doing a gig in Hamilton April 14th.
 Live Chamber Music Series will be holding their second concert of the season featuring Andrea Battista on Violin, Phillip Corke on Guitar and Irish Bouzouki, Karen Gross on Mezzo Soprano
Trio Sorbetto: Cristina Sewerin on Oboe, Elizabeth Day on Clarinet and Larkin Hinder on Bassoon will be part of the performance.
The concert is presenting three 17th century composers, one from each of Scotland, England and Ireland.
Philip Corke arranged the music; Karen Gross is doing a great job of interpreting them.The words of some of the songs are very timely and the music is charming.
Hamilton Mennonite Church, Saturday April 14th, 2018
143 Lower Horning Road
Tickets: Adults: $20; Seniors/Students $15
By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Transit is an issue that Burlington city council has difficulty with. It wasn’t always that way. Doug Brown, the best informed Burlington citizen when it comes to transit, will tell you of the time that bus service to the one GO station Burlington had was free. It was something city hall bragged about. It was so popular that the city eventually put a price on the service and that changed the usage.
 Doug Brown, one of the Bfast founders is getting ready for the 4th Annual Transit Forum. If you get Doug going on transit, and that isn’t very hard to do, he will tell you of the days when the city’s transit service was something to be proud of.
Gary Scobie is another Burlington resident who, not unlike Doug Brown, does his homework and asks questions and digs away until he gets answers,
Scobie delegated to city Council in March to talk about transit the plans to turn a very small parking lot between Brant and John Street that has a small transit terminal siting at the edge of the lot that has been under a construction upgrade doe a number of months.
The parking lot will have fewer spaces than it had previously and it will be one of the links in what the city will come to know as the Elgin promenade that will cut right across the city and allow people to walk or ride a bike on a safe path that will be illuminated and have plenty of places where you can sit and just relax.
That promenade and transit use and the mobility hubs the city is working on as the place in the city where development is expected to take place all come together.
The city Council meeting last March was the occasion where Scobie set out to explain to the city that a mistake had been made by the province and that the city was making a decision based on the mistake. He wanted city Council to see the error.
Scobie said:
I live in Ward 3 and my Burlington includes the downtown.
I did some further research on the Downtown Mobility Hub and found out this mobility hub is based on a clerical error. Well, I may be exaggerating a bit. If you check out the screen image of the Metrolinx December 2015 Profile, note that the second paragraph begins “Downtown Burlington is identified as an Anchor Hub in the GTHA and includes the Burlington GO Station on the Lakeshore West Line.
 Gary Scobie That last phrase confused and disturbed me. How could one Mobility Hub (a junior partner Anchor Hub) include another Mobility Hub (the Burlington GO Station) that is over 2 kilometres away?
Their 800 metre catchment areas don’t even touch. I could find no other pair of Metrolinx Mobility Hubs that are close to each other in municipalities outside Toronto (ie. Hamilton, Newmarket and Mississauga) that claimed one Mobility Hub included the other one of the pair.
I contacted Metrolinx and asked “Is this a mistake?” My contact felt it must be and someone must have accidentally done a cut-and-paste error and inserted it by mistake over two years ago. Funny, no one caught it until I mentioned it. Was it a mistake, or done with some purpose in mind? The phrase did not appear in the 2012 version of the Profile.
It took about three weeks for a full Metrolinx investigation to report back to me that yes indeed it was a mistake, but that it shouldn’t change the Mobility Hub’s legitimacy.
I beg to differ – our Downtown Mobility Hub does not have Rapid transit and barely integrates with Regional Express Rail. The Bus Kiosk on John Street can barely hold 20 people, let alone an actual bus. Attaching the GO Station to it might have given it, in some eyes, the only chance at legitimacy it could ever have.
A week ago, I requested that Metrolinx do three things:
1. Notify the City that no, the Downtown Anchor Mobility Hub does not include the GO Station,
2. Remove the offending text from the 2015 Profile and
3. Make sure it doesn’t reappear in the 2018 version coming out soon.
No response yet, but I understand these things take time. I’ll wait patiently.
 This site rendering of the upgrade being done to the downtown parking lot between Brant and John Streets tells a lot more than you might expect. Running through the middle is part of the Elgin promenade pathway – one of the smarter things the city has done I am still waiting in anticipation to see the coming transit plan that will have to show a dedicated light rail transit line going up John Street and then bulldozed through residential neighbourhoods to the GO Station, or else the subway that will take the same route underground. Nothing short of this will legitimize the Downtown Mobility Hub.
The Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub designations that Council accepted in 2006 are now leading to uncontrollable intensification and height in the downtown. They contain no height limits. The OMB acceptance of the 26 storey condo at 374 Martha Street has set a precedent that will only be used again and again by developers to gain further height along Lakeshore Road and up Brant and adjacent streets.
Council’s enthusiastic acceptance of a 23 storey condo across from our City Hall, beyond its own planned height, leaves us embarrassingly with little chance of appeal of the OMB decision.
The developers’ lawyers know this and so should we. We have no case under these current designations.
 Is it a parking lot that has been given an upgrade or is it an anchor that is part of a Mobility Hub? Our only option now to exert any future control of height and density downtown is to ask the Province to remove these designations from the downtown and place them at the three GO Stations, living up to our commitment for 2031 and coming 2041 growth targets.
Last time I made this request, I was met with stony silence. One of you on Council must bring back Councillor Meed Ward’s motion to save our downtown, not from gentle change, but from this massive change that is coming.
 The readership survey will close April 6th The practice at city Council is for a delegator to stay at the podium to answer questions that any Councillor might have. Scobie has done this before and in the past he has given the members of Council a good run for their money.
There were questions – one from Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and two from Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison. Scobie added in a comment he made several days after his delegation that his “new information was not what the broad Council wanted to hear. They embrace the over-intensification of the downtown instead of questioning it. They don’t want to hear of getting us out from under the Province’s mandate. It remains their best and only excuse.”
Gary Scobie and Doug Brown are long time residents of Burlington who have been tireless advocates for sensible growth and a city council that hears what the voters have to say.
By Staff
April 2, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Take that! said the Premier of the province.
New York State passed a “Buy American” law and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne was having none of it. In a statement released earlier today she said:
“I have consistently supported open and competitive procurement because it helps create good jobs on both sides of the border, but it has to be a two-way street. When Ontario workers and businesses are threatened by protectionist U.S. actions I have no choice but to respond. I will not let New York, or any other state, tilt the field in their favour without taking appropriate action.
 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne shows off a pair of boxing gloves. Ready to take on the State of New York and Texas if she has to – part of the warm up for the battle with Doug Ford? Last month Ontario passed the Fairness in Procurement Act, 2018, so that the province would have the ability to respond to unfair “Buy American” practices by U.S. states, including those which took effect in New York State yesterday. And yesterday, Ontario created a new regulation under the Act to respond proportionately, just as we said we would do if New York refused to back down.
New York’s “Buy American” legislation gives American workers and businesses an unfair advantage by requiring the use of American-made iron in certain government surface road and bridge construction projects.
In response, effective April 1, 2018, Ontario is restricting its government entities from entering into certain procurement contracts with suppliers from New York State, including provisions that restrict suppliers’ use of structural iron from New York State.
 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne: Does anyone really want to go up against this lady? “We are levelling the playing field. But it remains my hope” said the Premier, “that New York and other jurisdictions that might consider “Buy American” laws will abandon their protectionist approach. The best outcome is open procurement on both sides of the border. Should New York agree to repeal its “Buy American” restrictions against Ontario, we would immediately repeal our regulations against New York as well.”
The Premier added: “Ontario and the U.S. both benefit from a strong, balanced economic relationship, which has historically included open procurement. That’s what makes us more competitive and creates the greatest number of opportunities for people on both sides of the border. It is why we worked so hard to prevent New York State from going down this protectionist path, and why we were very clear with them that if they did not treat Ontario businesses fairly, there would be consequences.
“In Texas, Ontario’s advocacy efforts are ongoing and we are hopeful for a positive outcome. Ontario has not yet created a regulation in response to the Texas “Buy American” legislation because we are of the position that the Texas rules do not apply to Canada. A review of this position is being pursued and Ontario will not respond further until that review is complete.
“At this time of economic uncertainty, Ontario workers and businesses need to know that I am their number-one advocate. Through successful engagement with U.S. states, I am reinforcing our existing partnerships and forging new ones to create more opportunities for people on both sides of the border. I will continue to strongly advocate for fair, open and balanced procurement practices, but my top priority remains defending Ontario workers and businesses. In the face of unfair U.S. actions, I will stand up for the people of Ontario in every way possible — every time.”
The Premier is taking on Texas and the state of New York – when the writ is issued making the provincial election official – she will take on Doug Ford too.
Should be quite a battle.
By Pepper Parr
April 1st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Much of the discussion and debate on what a new Official Plan will do to the city is focused on Brant Street and the height of buildings on the south end of Brant.
Protecting the community west of Brant hasn’t been given much attention.
The Gazette is currently running a readership survey that will close on April 6th. The data to date has produced some surprises. While the answers to many of the questions are interesting – of more interest is where he people answering the questions live.
We asked responders to the survey to tell us which ward they lived in which will allow us to cross reference the data with where people live.
We are looking forward to dong the analysis when the survey closes April 6th.
How high should buildings on Lakeshore Road between Maple and Pearl be in the new Official Plan?
The data shown is based on the responses received to date. We have watched the data shift on several of the questions.
Lakeshore is perhaps the most important street in city. One can guess how the people who live downtown are going to react to a question on how high the buildings should be – but what do the people in the Orchard and Alton Village think – and do the people in Kilbride have an opinion?
There isn’t much in the way of difference between the 8 storey and the 11 and 20 storey answers. When we do the in depth analysis we will be able to tell you where the people who made the choices live.
The St. Luke’s – Emerald precinct is solid residential, mostly single family residential and people in that community want to ensure it remains that way.
In the Draft Intention Statement the Planning department said:
“The St. Luke’s Neighbourhood and Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct will conserve the existing established residential and heritage character of these neighbourhoods. Limited development may exist within the precinct and will be compatible with the existing character and built form of the area. New and/or enhanced pedestrian and cycling connections will be established as a priority throughout the precinct to allow for improved access to amenities and services.
“The key policy directions for the St. Luke’s/Emerald Neighbourhood Precinct include the potential for semi-detached dwellings as well as the introduction of accessory dwelling units as a permitted use within single and semi-detached dwellings as well as in detached garages consistent with city-wide policy directions in the draft new Official Plan.
“These precinct policies also recognize existing low-rise apartments and townhouse developments within the precinct and introduce new opportunities for park/green spaces and pedestrian and cycling connections and amenities.”
The land assemblies taking place on Burlington Street suggest that the developer will be looking for significant height.
 Property on Burlington Street is being assembled. What kind of height is going to be permitted in this residential community. There are already a significant number of tall buildings on Lakeshore Road. The Bridgewater development at the bottom of Elizabeth is going to rise to 22 storeys; the ADI Nautique development has been given the OMB green-light o rise to 26 storeys.
By Ray Rivers
April 1st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Canadians are known throughout the universe as ‘the great apologists”. We apologize at the drop of the proverbial hat, even when we’re not at fault. And true to form our fearless leader, Mr. Trudeau, with a mighty hug befitting a grizzly bear, confessed that he was “really sorry” about something a British colonial government did seven years before British Columbia became a part of Canada, and three years before Canada even existed.
 A fashion show or a political statement. It’s not like there weren’t other more relevant things he could have apologized for; like the conflict of interest around that unfortunate holiday he took with the Aga Khan, or the more recent fashion parade he gave the world while in India. And he should really have apologized to Canadians for giving a confessed and convicted child terrorist a whacking $10 million dollars just because he objected to spending quality time in the big house we call GITMO.
The trial and hanging of the six Tsilhqot’in chiefs in 1864 is a complicated matter. The band claims they were at war with Britain at the time. But does that justify killing 14 colonialists? Though one can appreciate the argument about their chiefs showing up for peace talks – to try to resolve the issues and end the war – only to get arrested, tried and become the subject of a hanging party instead.
But stuff happens and that was a long time ago. And if they were at war with the Brits was there any question who would win? To the winner goes the proceeds and all that. Spare the rod and spoil the savage. There were some countervailing claims of the other savage, the white man, spreading a smallpox contagion. And there were accusations of sexual assaults by the colonialists. But revenge, it seems, won the day.
And much of the land in question has now been returned to its original inhabitants. A 2014 Supreme Court ruling awarded over 1700 square kilometres to the 5000 member strong Tsilhqot’in nation. That’s a third of a square kilometre for every man woman and child, though the chiefs say they want more.
But that ruling has meant the B.C. government had to kiss and make up with the band. And so then it was Trudeau’s turn and here we are. Indeed our indigenous brothers are quick learners when it comes to the art of the deal.
They call themselves a nation – with the exact same powers as the federal and provincial governments. How can there be a sovereign nation within a sovereign nation? When that was happening in South Africa we called it apartheid. Isn’t that the root cause of all that bloodshed between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Will the Tsilhqot’in seek recognition from the UN next and issue their own passports as well? How will the Canadian government respond when the Tsilhqot’in nation sets up foreign diplomatic offices in Moscow and North Korea and purchases modern S-400 anti-aircraft weapons for its defence against… Canada? I thought we were all Canadian. Should we expect a ‘Tsilh-exit’ referendum someday soon?
 Former Prime Minister apologizing to members of a First Nation in the House of Commons. There have been occasions when apologies were perfectly appropriate. For example Stephen Harper’s apology for the government’s disastrous program of residential schooling for our indigenous youth. After all that was a federal program, well intentioned or not, which went truly sour.
Perhaps our PM should save his next apology for something more appropriate.
How about the outdated Indian Act which has perpetuated discrimination of first nations since it was enacted by our own government shortly after confederation? And can anyone doubt the contribution of the Indian Act to the poor living conditions on so many reserves and the infamy of our missing and murdered indigenous women.
This seems one apology too far for Mr. Trudeau. On whose authority does Mr. Trudeau claim to exonerate the six legally executed chiefs in 1864? My grandparents hadn’t even come to this country until after the 1900’s. He certainly doesn’t speak for me.
Apologizing may be good therapy and an apology is only a bunch of words. And while sticks and stones…words will never hurt me. But there comes a point where another apology becomes just another piece of meaningless garble when we do it all the time.
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
So Sorry – Tsilhqot’in – Loose lips sink ships –
The readership survey will close April 6th, 2018
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